An old cowboy went ridin' out one dark and windy dayUpon a ridge he rested as he went along his wayWhen all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he sawA ploughin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy drawYi pi yi ay yi pi yi oy the ghost riders in the sky

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steelTheir horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feelA bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the skyFor he saw the riders comin' hard and he heard their mournful cry

Yi pi yi ay yi pi yi oy the ghost riders in the skyTheir faces gaunt their eyes were blurred their shirts all soaked with sweatHe's ridin' hard to catch that herd but he ain't caught 'em yet'Cause they got to ride forever on that range up in the skyOn horses snortin' fire as they ride on hear their cryYi pi yi ay yi pi yi oy the ghost riders in the sky

As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his nameIf you want to save your soul from hell a ridin' on our rangeThen cowboy change your ways today or with us you will rideTryin' to catch the devil's herd across these endless skiesYi pi yi ay yi pi yi oy the ghost riders in the sky